Answer:
2
Step-by-step explanation:
a₃ = -2
a₇ = -10
The nth term of an arithmetic sequence is:
a = a₁ + d (n − 1)
Therefore:
-2 = a₁ + d (3 − 1) = a₁ + 2d
-10 = a₁ + d (7 − 1) = a₁ + 6d
Subtract the equations:
8 = -4d
d = -2
Plug into either equation to find the first term.
-2 = a₁ + 2(-2)
a₁ = 2
